Fort Smith (Mar 03/03) - A Fort Smith cab driver has been charged with attacking a female passenger.

The RCMP say the man allegedly hit the 23-year-old woman in the head with a liquor bottle.

The victim was treated at hospital for a large gash above her left eye and bruising to her face.

Cpl. Duncan Babchuk of the Fort Smith RCMP says the woman called a cab at about 5 a.m. on Feb. 22 to drive her around town to look for a relative. While in the taxi, a 26-ounce bottle of liquor was pulled out, said Babchuk.

After a half hour, the woman asked to be taken back to her house, but the driver refused, Babchuk said. "He wouldn't drive her home."

At about 6 a.m., the woman was hit in the head with the bottle, the officer said.

Babchuk said the woman stumbled out of the car and then got back in, begging the driver to take her to hospital. She even grabbed the car radio in an attempt to call for help.

The woman was dropped off at her home about an hour after being hit, and she called another cab company to take her to hospital, the officer said.

Babchuk said he could not speculate on a motive for the attack, although he noted the victim and the accused are known to each other.

Luke Heron, 21, has been charged with assault with a weapon, unlawful confinement and impaired driving.

Heron, who was released from custody after appearing before a justice of the peace, will appear in territorial court April 30.